New green homes: a dog's life

Green home owners could soon find their pet food bills being cut right down with the latest new green technology designed to re-use food waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill...

Green home owners could soon find their pet food bills being cut right down with the latest new green technology designed to re-use food waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill...

Revolutionary new waste disposal systems, being unveiled next week in the South East, take kitchen waste and turn it into dog food. Developers, including Plank Housing Association, say the new system will reduce landfill waste by over 80 per cent.

The system works by piping food waste for the 50 new build houses being constructed just outside Maidenhead, and storing it in a chamber for a week where it is blended and boiled, before being cooled and injected with enzymes that kill any bacteria that remains. This turns it into an opaque, jelly-like substance that can then be mixed with fresh meat and served as a canine treat.

However, animal welfare groups have hit out at the proposals. The British Dog Association immediately said that any tests should be immediately banned.

But developers have insisted that if the government is to meet its strict targets of reducing waste to landfill then such methods will become an essential part of development.

Howard Martin, director of sustainability for PHA, said: "This revolutionary new system is the first of many initiatives to come forward as part of reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions. Currently, such initiatives do not count towards what the government classifies as a ‘zero carbon home' but while you get no recognition in that area, ultimately we know this will be an attractive feature to those wanting to purchase a new build home and not damage the environment."